10 Days In Thailand Itinerary

Thailand is full of lovely people, amazing adventures, lush beaches, sacred temples and a lot of history. No wonder it’s one of the most frequently visited countries in the world! We’ve taken a 10 day trip to Thailand many times and will go back again.

But taking in the best of Thailand in 10 days is not an easy task. There’s so much more to see that you’ll wish you had spent weeks here on the ideal Thailand itinerary. So if you’re looking for how to spend 10 days in Thailand without missing out on the fun and adventure, we’ve taken our favorites places and created the perfect 10 days in Thailand itinerary for you.

Bangkok: Day 1 of 10 Days in Thailand Itinerary

Be sure to buy Thai Sim card at the airport to have Internet access throughout the stay.

You’ve most likely taken a red-eye flight in, so take the time to freshen up at your hotel before heading out to Bangkok. Like most cities worth visiting, Bangkok is divided into an old city and a new city. Work out your itinerary so that you’re not dashing between one and other, but rather have enough time to spend in each place.

Visit the Grand Palace

Bangkok 2 days itinerary: Go to The Grand Palace first.

One of the most beautiful palaces in the world and the home of the Emerald Buddha, the opulent Grand Palace is a must-visit for 2 days in Bangkok for couples, families or friends. There’s also a copy of the Angkor Wat here, so if you can’t make it to the real one, visit this one. Other attractions in the Grand Palace complex include the Wat Phra Kaeo, Phra Mondop, Boromabiman Hall, the Great Chakri Palace, Amarindra Vinichai, Dusit Maha Prasat and the Amphorn Phimon Prasat. Book a tour to Grand Palace to make sure you get the most of your visit.

Getting there

You can take a ride in a lovely tuktuk or a plain old cab. If you love water, you can take a ride on a boat and get off at Chang Pier, from where it’s a short walk to the Palace.

Time required

If you rush, 1 hour. If you love really taking in everything and want to visit most of the buildings in the complex, spend at least 3 or 4 hours here.

Cost

500 Baht or 17 USD. Yes, it is expensive, but if you see the scale and complexity of the place, you’ll definitely not regret it!

Tips

Try to go fully clothed. Visitors wearing shorts or open arms are often refused entry. Remember that this is a sacred place.

As in all temples, you will have to take your footwear off. So if you’re worried about hygiene, rather than being refused entry, wear socks!

Wat Pho – The Golden Temple

Golden Buddha Wat Pho

The Golden Buddha in the Wat Pho is just next to the Grand Palace. The reclining Buddha here is one of the largest in the world and is a must to add to your 10 days in Bangkok itinerary. There are metal bowls along the side off the Buddha to drop your offerings.

Getting there

This one’s easy for the 10 day itinerary Thailand, just walk across from the Grand Palace, that you have visited by bus or train. If you want to take the bus, the ones that get here are 1, 3, 25, 44, 48, 91, 508 and 512.

Time required

1 to 2 hours.

Cost

200 Baht or 7 USD, which is really cheap for a bit of serenity and a look at the 250+ year old Golden Temple. Check out Bangkok temple tour if you want to get the most of your trip.

Tips

Wear long sleeves tops and long trousers.

Eat And Shop On The Khao San Road

If you’re worried about how much money to take to Thailand for 10 days, here’s a tip; take more than you originally planned. Because once you get to Khao San Road, the smells of the food will be the best on your 10 nights in Thailand. Although it’s open all day, the most popular vendors are here after 6 pm. So you can come anytime after 6 and spend hours here buying the wares and tasting the food.

Getting there

Built in 1892, the small 410 meter Khao San Road is about a km from the Grand Palace.

Time required

2 to 4 hours, depending on whether you’re just shopping or eating too.

Cost

How much you spend depends on how much you shop or eat.

Tips

Remember to bargain. Everything has a price. Think of this place like a flea market.

Bangkok: Day 2 of 10 Days in Thailand Itinerary

Spending a minimum of 2 days in Bangkok is a must. There are plenty of things to do there!

Shop And Eat In Ratchaprasong And Siam

One of the highlights of 10 day Thailand tour packages is the central shopping district of Siam. This is the area you’ll find the best shopping products, both originals, and fakes at really cheap costs. Also, go shopping in the nearby Chatuchak Weekend Market or the Ratchada Night Market.

Getting there

Located in Pathum Wan, the Siam and Ratchaprasong shopping areas are easily accessible by anyone via taxi or tuk-tuk. You can also book a Bangkok shopping tour with a private driver to save yourself a hassle.

Time required

Time depends on what you’re here to do. You could shop for just one trinket or spend 3 to 4 hours haggling for antiques.

Cost

Depends on what you buy.

Tips

Bargain! No matter what, bargain! All prices are exaggerated. So the best you can do here is bargain.

Visit a Lady Boy Cabaret

Lady Boy Cabaret show Thailand is worth going to.

Ladyboys are a dime a dozen in Bangkok. But there are some of them that have amazing talent. You can catcha a musical at the Calypso Cabaret. While you’re listening to those old songs and classics, you’d hardly realize that they were actually ladyboys performing.

Getting there

In addition to Calypso Cabaret, there are actually quite a few around the city. Ask your hotel for the best options.

Time required

The show takes 1.5 to 2 hours.

Cost

Around 600 to 900 Baht for just the show. And 1500 Baht for the show plus dinner.

Tips

Don’t take a picture with a ladyboy after the show unless you plan on paying for it.

Tips are definitely accepted here!

Absolutely DO NOT visit a ping pong show. If you don’t know what it’s about, it’s right up there with human trafficking.

Bangkok-Ayutthaya:Day 3 of 10 Days in Thailand

Visit The Ruins Of Ayutthaya

Ruins of Ayutthaya in Thailand

Take a day trip to Ayutthaya, the UNESCO listed ruins of the ancient capital of Siam and the world’s largest city from the 14th to the 18th centuries, till it was destroyed by the Burmese. Situated at the head of the Gulf of Siam, the city is equidistant from India and China. When the capital was moved downstream to Bangkok in the 18th century, many of the elements from Ayutthaya were emulated here. There are many ruins to see in Ayutthaya, but the most famous are the Wat Chaiwattaranaram, Wat Phra Mahathat, Mongkhon Bophit and Wat Phra Si Sanphet.

Getting there

Ayutthaya is situated 85 kms north of Bangkok. It’s more of a day trip type of place and you can travel by bus, train or minivan. If you chose to go by train, Hualamphong Station, Don Muang and Bang Pa-In have trains going there every hour. From Ayutthaya Station, you can either walk for 10 minutes, then take a ferry across the Prasak river, then walk for 30 minutes to the UNESCO site, or hire a much-needed tuktuk.

Chiang Mai: Day 4 of 10 Days in Thailand

Head to the vibrant city of Chiang Mai, a must on your 10 day Thailand itinerary. Surrounded by lush greenery, it’s an adventurer’s hideout, perfect for trekking and climbing. But on your fir and replete with beautiful temples. If you have a few more days to spend in Chiang Mai, visit Doi Ithanon, the mountain that’s called the ‘Roof of Thailand’.

Visit The Temples In Chiang Mai

There are over a dozen temples worth visiting in Chiang Mai, but Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and Doi Suthep are our favorites. Wat Phra Singh houses the infamous Lion Buddha next to the golden chedi.

Doi Suthep is one of the most beautiful temples in Chiang Mai.

The famous Emerald Buddha from the Grand Palace in Bangkok once rested in the Wat Chedi Luang. The ruins of this temple date back to 1441 and the Lanna kingdom and look impressive with the stone elephants lining the sides.

Founded by Phaya Mengrai in 1297, the Wat Chiang Man is the oldest temple here. The stark contrast of the elephants at the base with the golden top add an amazing magnetism to this temple.

Going to Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Chiang Man will save a bit off your budget for 10 days in Thailand since they’re both free to enter.

Getting there

Wat Phra Singh is located on Ratchadamnoen Rd in the West of the Old City. Wat Chedi Luang is a 10-minute walk from Wat Phra Singh. Wat Chiang Man is on Ratchaphakhinai Rd, which is also an easy 15-minute walk from both Wat Phra Singh or Wat Chedi Luang.

Time required

Since you have only a day in Chiang Mai, spend 30 minutes to an hour in each temple.

Cost

Wat Phra Singh – 20 Baht

Doi Suthep – 30 Baht

Wat Chedi Luang – Free

Wat Chiang Man – Free

Tips

Be respectful. Wear socks if you don’t want to get your feet dirty since you’ll have to take your shoes off.

Visit an Elephant Park

Elephant in a sanctuary in Thailand

There are elephant parks and then there are elephant parks. Some parks like the Elephant Nature Park are ethical and do not allow you to ride the elephants or too much contact with them. They’re more of rehabilitation centers for the animals. The others that allow you to ride elephants, you must stay away from. They’re unethical and harm the animals!

Getting there

The park office is located at Ramtakka Road in Phra Singh. The park agents pick you up from their office, your accommodation or a designated pick up area. Book a tour here.

Time required

1 to 2 hours.

Cost

Short park visits and single-day visits cost 2500 Baht. If you have an extra day here and want to stay in the park overnight, it’s 6000 Baht.

Tips

Do the ethical thing and don’t spend too much time taking photos with the animals.

Make sure the park you’re visiting is actually caring for the animals and not exploiting them.

Visit the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar

The night bazaar is the place to visit if you want to purchase knickknacks and souvenirs, clothes, spices, shoes, Thai silk, handicrafts, purses, wallets, Oriental furniture, samurai swords, and more.

Getting there

The bazaar is in the centre of Chiang Mai, so you can get there by walking, tuk-tuk or taxi. You can also take a night food tour with a guide.

Time required

1 to 2 hours.

Cost

There’s no cost to get there, but what you spend depends on you.

Tips

Haggle, haggle, haggle!

Where To Stay in Chiang Mai?

For this stop on your Thailand 10 day trip itinerary, there are many options to choose from.

Budget Hotels

The economical Vieng Mantra Hotel is close to major Chiang Mai attractions and nightlife spots.

Chiang Rai: Day 5 of 10 Days in Thailand

You can either spend a night in Chiang Rai or take a day tour to Chiang Rai and come back to Chiang Mai for a night.

Home to the famous White Temple or Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Rai sits on the border with Laos. We recommend saving some of your 10 days in Thailand budget for Chiang Rai.

Visit The Long Neck Karen Tribe

Long Neck tribe in Chaing Rai

The Karen tribe originally came over from the Yunnan Province of China and then Burma and then finally settled in the hills of Chiang Rai. The tribe has held on to their traditions, one of which is the addition of rings to their necks.

It’s a difficult decision whether or not to visit them. It’s said that they cannot get local jobs and hence have to resort to tourism for their income. If you visit, you’re contributing to their income, but then again maybe you’re contributing to exploitation.

Getting there

It depends on the agency you book with. There are 5 different villages and every agency has a specific preference. The best option is to book a general hill tribe tour.

Time required

A few hours.

Cost

Group tours are between 300 to 500 Baht per person.

Tips

You can also pre-book accommodation to spend the night in a tribal village.

Visit The White Temple

White temple in Chiang Rai is one of the most unique in Thailand.

The fascinating White Temple or Wat Rong Khun was designed by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat and is replete with figures and designs that make you stop and stare in amazement. The blindingly white temple features structures like the sea of hands, gateway of heaven, ubosot, golden building, cycle of rebirth and has to be added to your best of Thailand in 10 days planner.

Getting there

It’s located 13 km outside Chiang Rai. So you’ll need to take a bus from Chiang Rai station and pay 20 Baht to get here. Alternatively, take a taxi.

Time required

2 to 3 hours.

Cost

50 Baht.

Tips

Dress appropriately. Skirts or pants should cover your knees.

Where To Stay In Chiang Rai?

While deciding what to do in Thailand in 10 days, you cannot skip spending a night in Chiang Rai. So close to the Laos border, 10 day Thailand holiday packages will ensure you spend a night here.

Budget Hotels

Phuket: Day 6 of 10 Days in Thailand

It’s time to head to the other end of Thailand. So catch a flight to Phuket. Yes, you could drive down, but that would mean spending a lot of your Thailand island itinerary 10 days just driving. As the crow flies, it’s a 22-hour straight drive. A flight from Mae Fah Luang International Airport in Chiang Rai to Phuket International Airport will take you just over 2 hours. But add to that the time spent waiting in the airports, and you’re down half a day. Just spend this day at leisure and maybe try some local dinner once in Phuket.

Have A Night Out At Bangla Soi

For a fun night out in Phuket, Bangla Soi or Bangla Road has it all. The 400-meter street is a no-vehicle street that comes alive after sunset. Pubs, bars, and discos line this street and are open till the wee hours. If you spend just one of a night out on your 10 day Thailand trip, it has to be at Bangla Soi.

Getting there

Most hotels are within walking distance of Bangla Soi, but if you’re located further away, catch a tuk-tuk or taxi.

Tips

Some of the touts may try to force you into their bars or pubs, literally! Just be firm with your ‘No’ till you find a place you want to hang out at.

Phuket: Day 7 of 10 Days in Thailand

Thailand’s largest island, Phuket draws most of the touristic crowd, and yet hasn’t lost it’s charm. It’s a place to relax, enjoy the night life and spend days lazing on the beach. Massages are also available at street corners or in luxurious spas. When you’re budgeting how much spending money for Thailand 10 days, set a little aside for the spas.

Karon beach Phuket

Watersports are big in here. And you have to add surfing, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, and more 10 days in Thailand, Phuket plan. Hire a boat or join a tour and go island hopping. You don’t need to book all of your 10 day Thailand tour options in advance. Just inquire at your hotel reception or head down to the beach and you’ll be accosted by a number of touts asking you to join their tours. Bargain to get the best deal here!

Check out the best tours to take in Phuket:

Where To Stay In Phuket?

The best of Thailand in 10 days must include a stay in Phuket, the largest island. Here are some good stay options for your Thailand 10 nights stop at Phuket.

Luxurious Hotels

With a pool overlooking the sea, this 5-star hotel has all the luxury you want. Check out the Sri Panwa hotel.

Close to the Kata Beach and Nai Harn Beach, with rooms and suites that leave nothing lacking, the Katathani Phuket Beach Resort is the epitome of luxury.

Budget Hotels

Koh Phi Phi / Krabi: Day 8 of 10 Days in Thailand

The best of Thailand in 10 days trip cannot be complete without a visit to the island of Koh Phi Phi or the province of Krabi.

Visit Koh Phi Phi Island

Phi Phi Thailand

If you’ve seen the movie, The Beach starring Leonardo DiCaprio, you’ll want to tick Koh Phi Phi off your bucket list. Spend half a day here indulging in water sports and getting a tan. If you want to travel to Krabi as well, we suggest you spend a few early morning hours at Phi Phi during your 10 days Thailand trip. Of course, you could also spend the night at the luxurious Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort or the Zeavola Resort that has its own private beach; but that would increase your 10 day trip to Thailand cost and time.

Time required

Few hours to a whole day.

Cost

Ferries cost 500 Baht one way.

Spend The Night in Krabi

After visiting Phi Phi Island, you can either return to Phuket or add Krabi to your Thailand itinerary 10 days. Krabi is not an island, but a province in South-Western Thailand. Full of beautiful coral covered islands, national parks, and caves, Krabi is a must add to your list of what to see in Thailand in 10 days.

Railay Beach on Krabi

Just 10 days in Thailand, what to do? There are a lot of things to do in Krabi. The problem is picking just one or two out of them. You could visit a well-known Railay beach but it’s a bit too crowded for our tastes. Hire a boat or a guide and visit one of over 80 islands in the Krabi Province, especially Chicken Island, Koh Lanta, Pranang Beach, Ao Nang. Or go hiking in the Thung Teao National Park, the Koh Lanta National Park, Phi Phi Marine National Park and others. Visit the tiger cave temples at Wat Tham Sua and climb up to see the footprint of the Buddha.

Getting there

Krabi is a 2-hour drive from Phuket or a 2.5-hour ferry ride.

Time required

Spend the night or do a day trip.

Cost

The taxi or car rental to Krabi from Phuket costs 2500 Baht, the bus costs 150 Baht while the ferry costs 700 Baht each way. The Tiger Cave temple is free to visit. National Park entrance fees average of 400 Baht.

Tips

While budgeting how much money for 10 days in Thailand, please also consider the costs of boat rentals, scuba gear rentals, and food.

If you want a more relaxed Thailand itinerary 10 days, it’s better to skip Chiang Rai and add an extra day in Krabi.

Your next stop will be Pattaya. Although there are flights to Pattaya from Krabi, they are either very expensive or via flights that will have you spending the entire day in airports. For the return flights, it’s better to go back to Phuket Airport and fly to Pattaya. That being said, you can choose to spend all the nights in Phuket, not Krabi, which may save your time and allow you to take an early morning flight to Pattaya.

Where To Stay in Krabi?

Luxurious Hotels

With everything at your fingertips, the Dusit Thani Krabi is as luxurious as it gets.

Pattaya: Day 9 of 10 Days in Thailand

Fly to Pattaya

Till the 1960s, Pattaya was a quiet fishing village. It’s now famous for its beaches, nightlife, and food. It’s also infamous for its sex industry, but that’s not what Pattaya is really about. Pattaya is famous for the Alacazar Cabaret show featuring transgender artists, for the street food and nightlife on Walking Street, for Mini Siam and the Sanctuary of Truth, for Jomtien Beach and Pattaya beach, and also for the Pattaya Floating Market.

Getting there

Cost

Flights average 1500 to 4000 Baht one way. Also take into account the cost of airport shuttles or taxis on your Thailand 10 days package.

Visit Koh Larn Island

Koh Larn Island

You’ll have lost half a day getting here, so spend the afternoon on one of the Pattaya beaches or take a boat ride to Koh Larn island and go scuba diving, snorkeling or paragliding. The beautiful coral island has 6 main beaches and many smaller ones. You can also take part in fun activities like banana boat rides, water skiing and more. Or just rent a beach chair for 50 to 100 Baht and laze on the beach.

Restaurants on the island serve traditional and continental fare, but seafood is the dominant choice on this leg of your Thailand in ten days trip.

Getting there and Cost

Speed boats from Bali Hai pier to Koh Larn cost about 300 to 400 Baht per person and take 15 minutes, while the Koh Larn ferry costs 30 Baht and takes 45 minutes. The cost of water sports activities varies depending on the season and the activity.

Tips

Check out our ultimate guide to Koh Larn island. Rent a motorbike to drive around the island for 300 Baht.

The speedboat ride is very bumpy and you might come away with a sore underside. If you’re not okay with this, take the ferry.

Pattaya Floating Market

Floating market is a pretty nice place for shopping in Thailand.

A hub of arts and crafts and almost every other goods there are, the Pattaya Floating Market is a flea market where the vendors sell goods and food items from boats and stalls. You can also hire a guide with a boat to take you around. There’s a lot to buy here, from traditional clothing to spices, to keepsakes and souvenirs. Some of the must-try foods are the sticky mango rice and fried insects.

Getting there

The Pattaya Floating Market is located near Sukhumvit Road in Pattaya City. You can get here via taxi or tuk-tuk.

Time required

A few hours. But it closes at 8 pm, so try to get there by 6 pm.

Cost

Entrance fees are 200 Baht. Rest depends on what you buy.

Tips

Bargain, bargain, bargain!

Where To Stay in Pattaya?

Luxurious Hotels

Featuring its own waterpark with jungle, river and waterfalls, the luxurious Centara Grand Mirage Pattaya is within walking distance of major attractions.

Budget Hotels

Traditional, earthy and comfortable, the Sabai Resort Pattaya is also close to Pattaya’s attractions.

Bangkok: Day 10 of 10 Days in Thailand

Go Back To Bangkok And Visit The Night Markets

Thai Food market

It’s the last day of your 10 days in Thailand, where to go? Go back from Pattaya to Bangkok and enjoy one last night out in the capital before your flight home. If your flight is the next morning, you can spend the evening visiting the late-night markets to pick up some last-minute keep souvenirs for your friends and loved ones. The markets are also where you can buy some grub to eat or take back home.

You have two choices, MBK Shopping center or Sukhumvit Soi 38 Night food market. MBK or Mahboonkrong is a mega-mall boasting over 2000 shops and is popular with locals and tourists alike. Sukhumvit Soi 38 Night food market is a popular market filled with cheap street food stalls. It was scheduled to be redeveloped in 2016, but it’s still there in the next alleyway serving tasty dishes like noodles with pork, mango sticky rice, papaya salad, pad thai and more.

Getting there

MBK is on Phayathai Rd while the street food stalls are at Soi Sukhumvit 38. Both markets are accessible by tuk-tuk or taxi. You can also take a night Bangkok tour.

Time required and Cost

Expect to spend a few hours here. MBK is open from 10 am to 10 pm while Soi Sukhumvit 38 is only open post 5 pm. Expenditure at Sukhumvit Soi can range from 100 to 1000 Baht, depending on the number of dishes you try.

Tips

Be prepared to splurge at MBK since you’ll find products from many of your favorite brands sold here at lower prices.

Ning Sisters mango sticky rice is a must-try at Sukhumvit Soi.

More Options To Stay In Bangkok

There are many options to stay in Bangkok during your 10 day tour of Thailand, from budget hostels to all-out luxurious resorts.

Luxurious Hotels

Budget Hotels

The mix of traditional wooden and modern design at the Orchid Hotel makes you feel at home in Bangkok.

Okay, so there may be a lot of things to do on this Thailand travel itinerary 10 days. But it’s just here for you to pick what you’d really like to do. We obviously cannot see all of Thailand in 10 days, but why not see as much as possible. The places we’ve added to this list are the ones we think are the most important. But feel free to skip one or two and just take the time to relax and walk around the city you’re in.

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